Speed camera plan hits government popularity?

The fall in the government's popularity in a new opinion poll is the result of the new plan to introduce more speed cameras on Poland's roads, says a ruling Civic Platform politician.

An opinion poll released on Thursday puts the main opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS), on 30 percent support, one percent more than the senior coalition partner, Civic Platform (PO).

"I think this poll is the result of all the noise about speed cameras and [the government's] national road safety program," vice-president of Civic Platform, Grzegorz Schetyna, told the Radio Zet station, Thursday morning.

The government has announced a new drive to cut the over 3,500 deaths a year on Polish roads – one of the worst road safety records in the EU – which includes placing more radar speed cameras at accident black spots.

Opposition MPs have claimed that the measure, which will include on-the-spot fines for speeding, is merely to fill a whole in this year's budget.

The latest opinion poll by the Homo Homini Institute puts the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) on 13 percent, with the liberal Palikot Movement and junior coalition partner, the Polish Peasant's Party (PSL) both on 7 percent. (pg)